Bobby Bowden called Florida State's 1979 game against LSU the biggest in school history. What nobody knew was that it was like a personal coin toss for the coach, with consequences far bigger than beating a major power. Winning it would be confirmation that Bowden — only in his fourth season at FSU — should stay put and continue building the program. Losing to LSU would be like an omen that meant he should move on to greener pastures elsewhere.

Jimmy Jordan was the surprise starter under center that day in Baton Rouge. He was half of the two-headed QB system with fellow Leon-grad Wally Woodham.

Woodham, with a hot hand, had seen more playing time that season. But Bowden believed Jordan's ability with the deep ball would be the Noles' edge. With Jordan tossing TD passes of 53 and 40 yards, FSU knocked off the Tigers at homecoming and on national TV, 24-19.

Here's Jordan talking about that pivotal game during last Saturday's Sod Cemetery event. He also has praise for FSU's current winning streak, including the team's ability to focus and find ways to win. After listening to Jordan, check out our longer interview with his co-quarterback, Wally Woodham, in the 70s category on the sidebar at the right.

One down, many more to go. Even though Rashad Greene recently broke Ron Sellers' record for most career receptions, there's a long list of others still held by the guy nicknamed "Jingle Joints". The amazing part is that Sellers did it between 1966 and '69, back when FSU played 10 or 11 games, not 13 or 14. And unlike with Greene, freshmen weren't allowed to play yet. So it was a privilege to hear Sellers talk about his career then, as well as FSU's go-to receiver today, during the Sod Cemetery hours before the Virginia game. In a photo of the event, Sellers is on the left, MC Doug Mannheimer in the middle, and Barry Smith, another All-American Nole receiver is on the right.

He's an iconic pass catcher who made such an impact on the game they named the annual award for the best receiver after him. Younger fans know the award but probably know little about Fred Biletnikoff, the sure-handed WR who teamed with Steve Tensi to push FSU onto the national scene in 1964. For the first time in 40 years — after an amazing career playing and coaching for the Raiders — Freddie B. was back where it all started. After being honored at Saturday pre-game Sod Cemetery event, Fred spoke about memorable games that laid the foundation for the program's success, and a certain Seminole receiver who's a leading candidate to win this year's Biletnikoff trophy.

The video is grainy black and white. The image is wobbly and the focus shifty. But, hey, you're looking at Florida State football a full half century in the past.

On October 17, 1964, the undefeated Tribe (as they were called before "Noles" was popularized) beat their second SEC opponent in as many weeks. On that day it was the Georgia Bulldogs between the hedges in Athens. By then the nation was beginning to take note of the upstart team from Tallahassee, especially the prolific Steve Tensi to Fred Biletnikoff connection. On the winning play in the video — a 20-yard post — it was obvious who the target would be. But watch Freddie B's smooth move in the Dawgs secondary and Tensi's perfect strike on the numbers.

For the record, FSU would beat three SEC teams in that breakout 9-1-1 season. The third being the sweetest of all, a 16-7 first-ever win over a certain school to the southeast.

Back in Tallahasse for the Clemson - FSU game, Leroy Butler recalls his legendary Puntrooskie against the Tigers in 1988. Butler even recreated the moment with a few teammates during a new series of pre-game events at the Sod Cemetery. After the festivities, he chatted with the media about one of the most iconic memories in Seminole sports. Butler is on the left in the photo above, with Peter Boulware (R), and MC Doug Mannheimer (Center), Booster member of FSU's Hall of Fame.

George Whitfield has become the go-to guru for young QBs who want to be great. You might've seen him recently on 60 Minutes. And you can catch him Saturday's in the fall on ESPN's Gameday. Here's what Whitfield told the media Friday in response to questions about FSU's QB situation.

Amp Lee grew up just 85 miles away in Chipley. And when the time came to choose a college, the standout tailback had the chance to play for the team he watched while growing up, Florida State.

Lee was one of the Seminoles’ best running backs in school history. From 1989-91, he ran for 2,092 yards (12th on FSU’s all-time list) and had 30 career rushing touchdowns (tied for third with Devonta Freeman). Lee went on to play nine seasons in the NFL from 1992-2000.

I was surprised but at the same time very proud, very humbled. I felt like I had a fairly productive career there. It was a phenomenal experience. I’m just a small-town country boy from Chipley. I was just always taught to work hard, try hard and compete hard. To be recognized by the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame, that’s pretty awesome.

Did you follow Florida State growing up?

I was a Florida State guy. It was close to home plus I admired how they played. Probably with the exception of Deion (Sanders), they were all pretty low key and humble and disciplined with how they played. I thought that was a reflection of the coaching staff and the style of players they wanted and the type of players they wanted. But that’s not a knock on Deion either because he was obviously incredible. But he had a flair to him.

What was it like when coach Bobby Bowden met the family?

Coach (Mickey) Andrews had been to the school a number of times. But coach Bowden came to the house. It was nerve-wracking. It was pretty serious at that point when they sent him. But it was a great experience.

What was one of your favorite memories from your FSU career?

The first one was the Tulane game (1989, his freshman year). The first time I touched the ball, I scored (on a 6-yard TD run in the second quarter). And the first pass I caught a pass, I scored as well (on an 88-yard pass from Casey Weldon). For me it was rewarding and encouraging because being from a small town I wasn’t the most highly touted recruit coming in. Initially you try to get in and figure out where you stand, can you survive with that level of competition. To have that level of success my first game, it motivated me and made me feel good that I could compete at the collegiate level.

You are going to help start a tradition of speaking at FSU’s sod cemetery. Tell fans about that landmark 1991 road game, a 51-31 win by No. 1 FSU at No. 3 Michigan?

At Garnet and Great, we occasionally like to track down a former player who, despite strong potential, didn't achieve what was expected. Let's call it Garnet and could've been Great. D'Vontrey Richardson (2006-2008) might be the poster boy for that title. He fit the Charlie Ward mold in size and dual-threat talent, as well as growing up in the fertile football fields of South Georgia. As a Seminole, D'Vo showed flashes of promise in limited action, like the one in this video (at 20 minutes in). He enters the 2008 game against Georgia Tech late in the 4th quarter and throws a TD strike to keep FSU close. But those moments were few and far between. Not so in baseball, where he batted .333 in 97 games during 2007 and '09. Entering the MLB draft in 2009, Richardson is moving up in the Milwaukee Brewers system and currently plays for the Huntsville Stars of the Southern League. Before a game this summer we interviewed him about his time at FSU, any regrets, and how he's changed since coming to Tallahassee as a bluechip QB phenom. [Correction to audio interview: Richardson was ranked #10 in Georgia by Rivals in 2006.]

Doak Weather

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